Rachel Keenan

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service warns that delays in Scotland’s most serious criminal cases will worsen unless the justice system undergoes substantial end-to-end reform. Modelling suggests the High Court stage of cases could take an average of 135 weeks by 2028-29, up from 45 weeks in 2024-25, as serious sexual offence and domestic abuse cases drive rising workloads. Chief executive Malcolm Graham called for around £60 million in investment over five years to modernise outdated digital systems, integrate applications and improve support for victims and witnesses. The Scottish Government says it is investing in court capacity and digital reforms, while the Crown Office says prosecutors are working to reduce unnecessary delays. Four additional High Court venues are due to bring the total to 14 by 2027, increasing daily trial capacity, but the courts service says this alone will not resolve wider system pressures.

Nicola Sturgeon marched with the Time for Inclusive Education campaign during the 25th Glasgow Pride, which attracted thousands and featured multiple corporate sponsors. The event drew criticism from the Scottish Greens and activists over its partnership with Coca-Cola due to concerns related to the conflict in the Middle East. Performances and additional events accompanied the march, while counter-protesters gathered to oppose what they described as pinkwashing.

Craig Ferguson returned to Glasgow after completing a 3,300‑mile walk across the United States that raised over £1 million for SAMH and drew support from well‑known Scots. His trek prompted a £400,000 contribution from the Scottish Government, and SAMH leaders praised his effort for increasing awareness of mental health issues and inspiring widespread public support.

A patient admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow tested negative for Ebola after precautionary screening. Public Health Scotland confirmed no current cases in the country and highlighted established procedures for assessing travellers from affected regions. The report outlines the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the UK’s support efforts, including deploying specialists from the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team to assist WHO-led field operations across the region.

Rising retail crime in Scotland, including increases in shoplifting and assaults on workers, has prompted opposition parties and retail groups to call for stronger government action. Critics from Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives argue the SNP has failed to address the surge, while the Scottish Retail Consortium reports significant financial and safety impacts on businesses and staff. The government highlights its Retail Crime Taskforce and increased funding, noting improved detection and thousands of charges in its first year, while emphasising support for police and encouraging public reporting of incidents.